The death of James Van Der Beek at 48 has intensified scrutiny of colon cancer's alarming rise among younger adults. New research suggests that even a single daily sugary drink may be linked to late-stage disease, raising concerns about a habit millions consider harmless.

A study of 303 colon cancer patients under 50 found that 45 percent of those with stage four cancer reported daily consumption of high-sugar foods, compared to just 29 percent in earlier-stage patients. The research, led by Dr. Emma Schatoff at Memorial Sloan Kettering, found no association with processed foods or red meat, making the sugar-specific link particularly striking.

While the findings presented at ASCO have not yet undergone peer review, they add urgency to understanding why colon cancer rates have surged 50 percent among younger adults since the 1990s. The American Cancer Society estimates 154,270 Americans will be diagnosed this year, with 52,900 deaths. For families grappling with loss and patients confronting the disease, the message is sobering: what once seemed like a harmless indulgence may warrant closer scrutiny.